Feasibility Study of a 4 Stage Bowel Obstruction Cancer Diet

Last updated: April 9, 2024
Sponsor: Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Overall Status: Completed

Phase

N/A

Condition

Ovarian Cancer

Peritoneal Cancer

Intra-abdominal Infections

Treatment

Dietary intervention

Clinical Study ID

NCT04898842
20DCSN272626
  • Ages > 18
  • All Genders

Study Summary

Bowel obstruction is a common complication in patients with ovarian, peritoneal and bowel cancer due to a mass or spread of disease, causing narrowing to the gut, as these cancers can grow on the bowel surface. Certain foods may lead to symptoms such as pain, bloating, feeling full, feeling sick, vomiting and difficulty passing a bowel motion.

There is limited evidence to establish the best diet to follow when someone is diagnosed with the risk of bowel obstruction and is experiencing symptoms after eating and drinking.

The Dietitians at the Royal Surrey have developed a 4 stage bowel obstruction diet which they have been using with patients for 3 years. The 4 stages are clear fluids, all thin liquids, low fibre soft smooth diet, low fibre soft sloppy diet. Depending on the severity of symptoms and the risk of a blockage, patients are asked to follow a certain stage of the diet. They are advised to move up and down the stages as symptoms improve or get worse.

This feasibility study aims to investigate if the diet can be used and is effective in clinical practice. The objectives are to see if this diet is easy to follow, can reduce symptoms of bowel obstruction, can improve quality of life, and reduce admissions to hospital because of bowel blockages.

Patients at risk of bowel obstruction from colorectal or ovarian cancer are eligible to participate. They will remain in the study for a period of 4 weeks, during which time they will be asked to complete a diet diary and 3 questionnaires.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients over 18 years of age
  • Able to tolerate oral diet
  • Confirmed diagnosis of SBO due to underlying malignancy to include:
  1. Patients with colorectal or gynaecological cancers with primary or secondarytumour in situ, undergoing cancer treatment or supportive care.
  2. Patients diagnosed with advanced inoperable cancers of colorectal orgynaecological origin
  • Presenting in outpatient clinics or admitted from A&E with a minimum of 2 symptoms ofSBO including: abdominal pain, bloating after eating, early satiety, nausea, vomiting
  • Capacity to give informed consent

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients under 18 years of age
  • No symptoms of bowel obstruction
  • Have not already been given advice to follow the 4 stage bowel obstruction diet
  • Unable to tolerate oral diet i.e. enterally or parenterally fed
  • Unable to provide capacity to give informed consent
  • Unable to read and communicate in the English language

Study Design

Total Participants: 30
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: Dietary intervention
Phase:
Study Start date:
March 02, 2021
Estimated Completion Date:
November 02, 2022

Connect with a study center

  • Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

    Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XX
    United Kingdom

    Site Not Available

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